Course Outline

DES211 Visual Identity

Course Coordinator:Marni Stuart (mstuart@usc.edu.au) School:School of Business and Creative Industries

2026Trimester 1

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Online

Online You can do this course without coming onto campus, unless your program has specified a mandatory onsite requirement.

Please go to unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

You are introduced to visual identity and design through a series of projects that combine software learning, critical thinking, research, and creativity. Practical outcomes are underpinned by developing an awareness of the broader visual, cultural and commercial contexts and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in which design is applied. The course emphasis is on the development of a process for generating and producing design solutions in a range of media and professional contexts.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – Interactive online learning activities. 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Scheduled face to face workshops. 2hrs Week 1 10 times
Seminar – Scheduled face to face seminars. 2hrs Week 1 2 times
Online
Learning materials – Interactive online learning activities. 1hr Week 1 12 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Scheduled online workshops (Recorded). 2hrs Week 1 10 times
Seminar – Scheduled online seminars (Recorded). 2hrs Week 5 2 times

Course Topics

Visual culture 
Design ethics 
Theory and context 
Target markets
Colour systems 
Inclusive design 
Design management and copyright
Printing 
Packaging design
Branding 
New technologies

What level is this course?

200 Level (Developing)

Building on and expanding the scope of introductory knowledge and skills, developing breadth or depth and applying knowledge and skills in a new context. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally, undertaken in the second or third full-time year of an undergraduate programs.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Understand and apply the use of design principles in visual communication. Creative and critical thinker
2 Understand the importance of research and critical thinking and demonstrate this in design outcomes Creative and critical thinker
3 Show awareness of social and cultural identity in the context of design for particular user/audience or group. Creative and critical thinker
4 Implement integrated, original and creative solutions in the context of a design brief with a demonstrated understanding of the relevant design principles. Creative and critical thinker
5 Demonstrate proficiency in the creative use of vector-based software (Illustrator). Empowered
6 Apply SGDs in creative projects and design outcomes Ethical
Sustainability-focussed

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Not applicable

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

Microcredential Information

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

Early formative feedback will be in week 3 of this course, a draft copy of your assessment will be peer reviewed in your tutorial.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Report Individual 30%
500 words plus 2 original designs
Week 4 Online Submission
All 2 Artefact - Creative, and Written Piece Individual 30%
Original designs presented as a PDF, 300 word supporting statement and research documentation.
Week 8 Online Submission
All 3 Artefact - Creative, and Written Piece Individual 40%
Professional design pitch (PDF proposal and designs), oral presentation in class and support material
Week 12 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Visual Identity Analysis
Goal:
To analyse an existing visual identity and produce proposals for your own alternative design
Product: Report
Authorship Statement:
Format:
You will write an analysis in the form of a report, which cites at least three separate academic sources and includes design examples based on a theme you select during class. 

Your report will respond to one of three research questions that will be available during the tutorials. You will respond to the question and critique design examples. Your report will be supported by two examples of your own design proposals for the projects discussed. 

A full project brief is supplied on Canvas in the Assessment Folder.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Understand the use of the formal elements in graphic design communication:
1
2
Show awareness of social and cultural identity in the context of design for particular user/audience or group
2 4
3
Professional communication
1
Generic Skills:
Communication, Problem solving, Applying technologies, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 2:Visual Identity Project
Goal:
There is a significant industry dedicated to visual identity production and this is your chance to explore your own original ideas in this area and apply your emerging skills. You will create an original visual identity system for a company or project (based on a brief) and produce a range of touchpoints to support your brand.
Product: Artefact - Creative, and Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format:
You will develop and design an original visual identity for a company or project. Your branding should include a logo, business card and other touchpoints that can be negotiated with your tutor in class. Your visual identity should be supported by clear research and include a 300-word explanation of why it is appropriate and effective for the social and cultural context of the project.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Show awareness of social and cultural identity in the context of design for particular user/audience or group
3
2
Implement integrated, original and creative solutions in the context of a design brief with a demonstrated understanding of the relevant design principles
1 2
3
Demonstrate proficiency in the creative use of vector-based software (such as Illustrator)
5
Generic Skills:
Communication, Problem solving, Applying technologies, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 3:Professional Design Pitch
Goal:
You will learn the necessary skills to respond to a professional design brief and produce an original concept, designs and supporting material for a professional design pitch.
Product: Artefact - Creative, and Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format:
You will further develop the visual identity you designed in Task 2. You should clearly demonstrate your research and design process in your support material to demonstrate that you have explored a variety of solutions in arriving at your finished designs. Your design outcomes will be presented as a professional PDF and will be supported by an oral presentation in class.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Application of research, design process and creativity in developing original ideas and design solutions
1 2
2
Demonstrated awareness of social and cultural context and approaches to inclusive design in the development of design concepts and outcomes
3
3
Application of original, creative solutions in response to a design brief with a evident understanding of design principles
4
4
Professional presentation and communication
2 5
5
Application of SGDs in design outcomes
6
Generic Skills:
Communication, Problem solving, Applying technologies

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

There are no required/recommended resources for this course.

Specific requirements

This course requires some commercial software or hardware which is provided at USC campuses for student use. If you elect to do this course online, you may either; attend a campus at which it is available, discuss alternative open source solutions with your course coordinator that would enable you to demonstrate the learning outcomes, or if you prefer you may acquire this software and / or hardware at your own expense.

How are risks managed in this course?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.

The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

For course-specific questions, contact your teaching staff or Course Coordinator.  

For other enquiries or to access support, please contact Student Central: